In Class Lab: Textual Analysis Paper

1. Who published these ads? PETA, Freedom For Animals, Mercy for Animals, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

2. Who are these texts intended for? (Or) Who would each one seem to appeal to?

• The anti-fur ad is intended for people who wear fur, and asking them to stop. It is also intended for people who have pets to advocate for this cause to stop people from wearing furs.

• The hair advertisement is asking people who dress up their hair to consider the cost to innocent animals.
• The Walmart Cruelty ad tells the people that the company mistreats their animals, and to consider this next time they by one of there stores.
• The Humane Society ad is for people who have been possibly considering adoption in any way, and it appeals to the same group of people because it makes them seem really helpful and kind for adopting an animal.  It also emphasizes the innocence of animals with the “I hold no grudges” line, inviting us to feel sorry for them.
• All of them appeal to people who love animals as well. They are intended for people who love, or simply feel sympathy for, animals.

3. How can we tell that (or reasonably guess)?

Because they all mention animals in a light that considers cruelty done to them.

4. What is the purpose of these texts? What are their creators wanting to change or make happen?

The purpose of these texts is to help the lives of animals, and let them have a better existence. They want to change animal cruelty by ending it,or at least lower it.

5. How do they seem to be working toward that purpose(s)? What beliefs and values do they address? Think: What are their ethical, emotional, and rational beliefs?

Most of the ads work out of guilt, such as the idea that someone would wear their dog. They believe that it is immoral to do the things they are fighting against, such as wearing fur, testing chemicals on animals, and leaving animals on the streets.

6. What evidence from the texts (images, phrases, etc.) can you provide to support your answers?

The image of a pig in a cage, looking out pitifully.  The words “If you wouldn’t wear your dog…”.  The use of the verb “suffer” when referring to the lab animals used in the hair ad.

7. Can you come up with a statement that would indicate what the ads do as a group?

As a whole, I think the ads are standing up for animal rights, and trying to save animals from death and pain.